Sacrifices Which Please God
The Proclaimer
PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST TO A LOST AND DYING WORLD
Edited and Published by Jack Critchfield
| Volume 5 Issue 12 |
December, 2001 |
In This Issue:
Giving God What Is His
Sacrifices That Please God
Lay Up Treasures In Heaven
I Will Follow...But First...
Man In God's Service
Steven Harper
When Paul wrote the Corinthian brethren to remind them of their promised gift, he used --- as an example --- the giving of the Macedonians to encourage them to follow through. The Macedonians, Paul said, gave "beyond their ability" and did so "freely willing." (2 Cor. 8:4) Their secret to being able to give in such a way was that "they first gave themselves to the Lord." (v. 5)
By looking at how others gave to the Lord, and the attitude they expressed as they did so, I believe we can still learn outstanding lessons about how we should give to the Lord. An example I would like to bring to your attention is that of David and the people when they donated materials for the building of the temple (Solomon's) in 1 Chronicles 29.
Preparation
When David was considering the building of the Lord's temple, he did not do it as an afterthought and he did not think of the Lord only after he had taken care of himself. He did not simply command Build! without any plans. No, David understood such an undertaking would require preparation, so he (unable to be the builder by God's declaration) prepared himself to give. David said, "Now for the house of my God I have prepared with all my might," and then lists what he had given in preparation for the building of the Lord's house. Those things he had given were not the least he could give, either. Included were gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, onyx, and "all kinds of precious stones" to be used in its construction. Did you notice the measure of David's preparation? With all his might! He held nothing back!
How about us? When it comes to our giving to the Lord, do we prepare ourselves first to give? Or, do we give as an afterthought? When Paul instructed the Corinthians about giving, he commanded that "each one give as he purposes in his heart." (2 Cor. 9:7) To purpose, we must intend to give, meaning we must think about it and decide ahead of time. To give in the way the Lord wants, we must prepare.
Proper Mindset
David was able to give precious things for the house of the Lord because he had the proper mindset before he gave. Instead of thinking only about how precious they were to him and how much of a loss he would personally sustain if he gave, we read that he had "set (his) affection on the house of (his) God." (v. 3) Instead of setting his mind "on things of this earth" (Col. 3:2), David set his mind on things relating to God. This allowed David to give "over and above all" that he had prepared for the Lord's house, giving his "own special treasure of gold and silver." (v. 3)
When David challenged the people to give, they responded tremendously. The leaders of the fathers houses, "leaders of the tribes of Israel, the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the officers over the kings work, offered willingly." (v. 6) They gave 5,000 talents and 10,000 darics of gold, 10,000 talents of silver, 18,000 talents of bronze, and 100,000 talents of iron for the house of the Lord (v. 7). In addition, "whoever had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the house of the Lord." (v. 8)
After they had done this, "Then the people rejoiced, for they had offered willingly, because with a loyal heart they had offered willingly to the LORD; and King David also rejoiced greatly." (v. 9) Why did they rejoice? Because they had given willingly and had done so with their whole heart.
David and the people were able to give willingly and with their whole heart ("not grudgingly or of necessity," 2 Cor. 9:7) because they had the proper mindset about these precious items. Let's now look at what David says about the things they had given for the house of the Lord and the mindset of the people.
After the people had given liberally for the house of the Lord, David blessed the Lord before the whole assembly and within that blessing, we see what the mindset was. As he blessed God, David said, "Both riches and honor come from You" (v. 12), giving hint as to how they looked upon what wealth they had. Later, David makes it even more clear when he says, "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, and of Your own we have given You." (v. 14) WOW! What a great attitude!
David and the people gave selflessly because their mindset was such that they believed everything they had was not their own, but God's! With that in their minds, why wouldn't they give to the house of the Lord? It was as if they were simply holding the Lord's possessions for a short while until there was a need.
Contrast this attitude with that of the rich, young ruler of Matthew 19. Here, the people look at their great possessions as not their own, but God's, and willingly and wholeheartedly give for the Lord's house. But when Jesus told the rich, young ruler to "sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me," he "went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." (Matt. 19:21-22) The rich, young ruler looked at his possessions as his, and loved them more than he loved God Himself.
These examples are for our learning, and we would be well to heed such an outstanding example as David and the people in their giving. If we prepare ourselves to give and if we have the proper mindset about the things we have, we, too, can give willingly and wholeheartedly to the Lord and like the people then did rejoice after having done so.
via The Light of Life
April 26, 1998
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Jack Critchfield
The Sermon on the Mount has been called by some the "constitution of Christianity," and with good reason. In this great sermon, Jesus instructs those assembled about a wide variety of subjects that deal with basic attitudes of life how we look at life and how we respond to the events of life, both good and bad. It is in the very center of this discourse, Jesus said, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matt. 6:19-21).
Jesus defines it well in our text when He said, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." If we put our treasure into the things of this world, that is where our heart is. It is easy, based on this standard, for each of us to gauge the location of our heart. The treasure we have is great, for it consists not only of money, but also time energy, ability, loved ones, etc. Where we put these things in our priority and how we use them determines what we love and what we serve.
If a man puts all the money he can "dig up" into a business enterprise, you can be sure that is where his heart is. If a couple spends all their available income and time on a house, they'll tell you it is their "pride and joy." Where do you suppose their treasure is? Some will sacrifice to an extreme to bestow benefits (education, inheritance, etc.) on their children, that is where their heart is. This same principle applies to our relationship with God. One of the reasons that so few are really interested in spiritual things is that they have put no treasure into them. Many show a marked indifference to the church, because they put little or nothing into it. Many show little interest in going to heaven because they have put no treasure there.
Isn't it strange how we spend a lifetime trying to gain and accumulate "things" all of which we must leave behind when we leave this old world? Jesus told the story of the rich man who was abundantly blessed (Luke 12), and thinking only of himself. But God told him; "This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?" (Lk. 12:20). Strange isn't it, how we spend so much time working for and planning for the things of this life, then leave it all behind?
How then, can we save and be sure that we won't lose it? Jesus gives the answer in our text. He says, "Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven." The only way to save real treasure is to give it to the Lord. Whether that treasure is life, love, money, ability, time, energy, loved ones or anything else, the only way to save it is to give it to the Lord. When we give our treasures to God, they will be ours forever. We cannot hold onto treasures of this world. They will eventually belong to someone else. But we can send ahead. The Lord will preserve those treasures forever.
There are many in the Lord's church today that seemingly are following the lead of the world in seeking to lay up treasures upon the earth. They have little interest in the work of the church, the growth of the church or the strength of the church. Jesus makes clear the reason for this disinterest; they have not put their treasure in the church. Our hearts will be where our treasures are.
Where is your treasure? "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where you treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matt. 6:19-21).
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Clarence Johnson
In Matt. 8:18-22, the Bible says, "Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He gave a command to depart to the other side. Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, 'Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.' And Jesus said to him, 'Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.' Then another of His disciples said to Him, 'Lord, let me first go and bury my father.' But Jesus said to him, 'Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.'"
The primary thrust of this passage is to let all who would be disciples of Jesus thoroughly understand that Jesus must have first place in our lives or He is not really in our lives at all.
A scribe said he was ready to follow Jesus anywhere. Jesus responded by telling him, in effect, that before finalizing that decision, he needed to be aware of the implications of that commitment. Jesus did not mean to imply that He never stayed in a house or slept in a bed. But at that very moment, as Luke's account of this incident informs us, Jesus and His apostles had just been refused lodging for the night, and literally, "The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head" (Luke 9:58). Jesus did not wish to turn the scribe away, but neither did He want the scribe to begin following Him without a realization of the cost of true discipleship.
And that cost may be summarized by saying, "Christ must come first." Before parents, before friends, before anything and everything else that clamors for our time and influence and our resources. Again, Jesus is not saying that it is wrong for us to give our loved ones a proper burial when they die, but He is saying that even in such situations as that, our commitment to Him must receive primary consideration.
In Luke's account of this incident, he records that Jesus said, "No one having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62). A fellow who tries to plow while looking back over his shoulder is not likely to be a very successful farmer, and a disciple who tries to follow Jesus while looking back at the life he is supposed to have left behind will not be a very successful Christian. Commit yourself to Jesus, and then don't look back. Keep your eye on the heavenly goal. You may sometimes have to disappoint friends, loved ones, and others, but as a Christian, try above all, not to disappoint Jesus who loved us and gave Himself for us.
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Ron Lloyd
"Sacrifices and offerings" are commonly mentioned relative to Moses Law. See Amos 5:25. The Hebrew writer refers to "gifts and sacrifices" in Hebrews 5:1, 8:3 and 9:1. He writes of those sacrifices with which "God is well pleased." We speak of those things which are done "sacrificially," and we mean by that that what was done was at great expense to the one who "sacrificed."
Jesus told the Jew of his day, in Matthew 9:13, "go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice." He quotes from passages such Micah 6:8 which says, "For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings." In the same vein Hosea 6:8 concludes "—what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" Connecting sacrifice with gift is significant. There were sacrifices which were required by the law; there were also will offerings. Acceptable offerings were given by those who "—first gave own selves to the Lord—." 2 Corinthians 8:5 in the New Testament is quoted because the things which are pleasing to God have always been those things which are given freely. This is true whether reference is made to God’s law before the law he gave Moses or, as indicated, the New Covenant which we enjoy. Paul made this point in 2 Corinthians 9:7 "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." Abraham voiced the same attitude in Genesis 14:20 when he submitted to Melchizedek "the priest of the most high God." It is recorded that Abraham, "— he gave him tithes of all."
It is proper to say that a sacrifice is a gift acceptable to God. Saints are to give their bodies as living sacrifices according to Romans 12:1. Understanding what is involved in giving we would understand that going through the motions does not constitute an acceptable sacrifice. Enduring a sermon every Lord’s day might be considered a sacrifice on one’s part, but it is not an acceptable sacrifice to God. There must first be a "willing mind." The spirit of those who have given to the Lord will look for and recognize opportunities to do good "unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." This is the spirit of obedience not the "the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience." The Christian has freely offered his or her body as a living sacrifice. This disposition of heart will be heard in the Saint's speech as Hebrews 13:15 requires: "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." We often use this to apply to singing in worship. It includes singing but is not limited to singing in the assembly. We are told to edify or build up one another. In simpler times there was a story of a little locomotive who said, "I think I can," and "I know I can." One’s speech should be matched by actions. The writer continues in Hebrews 13:16 "But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." Doing good includes sharing with those who are in need.
The attitude of those who give freely is heard in Cornelius’ welcome to Peter in Acts 10:33. Cornelius said, "I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God." I often use that passage in introduction to a lesson. I recall using it when I came to Clute. The only "hearers" present are those who came to hear. Others are present in body but not in spirit.
What then, is the application of the things introduced here? There is no better conclusion than that of the scriptures themselves as written by Paul in Colossians 3:17: "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." When we consider our conduct "in the name of the Lord," we will put our judgment to test. Rather than asking, "Is it a sin?" we will ask, "Is it edifying? Is it something I can truly give thanks to God for?" "Is it a sacrifice well pleasing to God?" There is a song with words to the effect "Less of self and more of Thee." We will find that we will deny ourselves in some cases. We will be more aware of the narrow walk we are coursed upon.
via "The Good Report"
August, 2000
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Carrol R.Sutton
Jesus Christ said in Matt. 4:10 "...it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou SERVE." We learn from 1 Thes. 1:9 that some of the Thessalonians had "turned to God from idols TO SERVE the living and true God." Service that we as Christians render unto God begins at the time we become God's children. We should count it a distinctive honor to serve the creator of heaven and earth and all things therein.
Voluntary Service
No one is compelled to serve God. We are free moral agents who have the power of choice. God will not force us to serve Him. We can choose to serve God or Satan. A short time before the Israelites crossed over Jordan into Canaan Moses said unto them: "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." (Deut. 30:19). Although service to God is voluntary, we urge you to "choose life" that you may live!
Single Or Undivided Service
Jesus said in Matt. 6:24 that "No man can serve two masters..." He also said "Ye cannot serve God and mammon." He further said: "...it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." (Matt. 4:10). Servants of Christ should do the will of God from the heart. We should serve God with fear and trembling in singleness of heart. (See Col. 3:22).
Continuous Service
We learn from Acts 2:42 that the disciples "continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." For those who are true servants, there are no vacations nor furloughs. Our service is to last until death. We must "finish" the course. (See Rev. 2:10; 2 Tim. 4:7). If you are not willing to continue, there is no point in beginning.
Reasonable Service
In Rom. 12:1 the apostle Paul said: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." God expects us to serve Him in keeping with our ability. We learn this lesson from the parable of the talents in Matt. 25:14-28. "It is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not", if first there be a willing mind. (2 Cor. 8:12). God does not require more than we are able to do, but He does make us responsible to the extent or our abilities plus our opportunities. God will not allow us to be tempted above that which we are able to bear, but will provide a way of escape when we are tempted. (See 1 Cor. 10:13).
Well-Rewarded Service
Jesus promises the essentials of life to those who will seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. (See Matt. 6:33). Paul assures us in 1 Cor. 15:58 that our "labor is not in vain in the Lord." Jesus said, "There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or fathers, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life." (Mk. 10:29,30). Those who are faithful unto death as God's children have the promise of an inheritance that is incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, but is reserved in heaven. (See 1 Pet. 1:4).
Are You A Servant?
Are you a true servant of God? If you haven't been baptized into Christ upon a confession of your faith you are not. To be in position to truly serve God you must be a child of God. If you have "obeyed the gospel" and hence are a child of God, are you serving Him faithfully? If not, you should repent and pray that God will forgive you. Why not resolve today to be "a wise and faithful servant?"
via the "Instructor", Vol. 6, No. 4
April, 1969
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Personal Note:
It is hard for me to realize that The Proclaimer started out a little over five years ago as a one page bulletin that I was sending to a few friends and fellow Christians that had requested it and it has grown from there. It was and continues to be a labor of love for me. If I have been able to influence someone to be more faithful to God with this paper, then my goal has been realized. If you know of others that might benefit from these articles, send me their name and they will be added to the mailing list.
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Another Personal Note
As of the first of the year, I expect to lose $800 per month in outside financial support. If there is a congregation that you know of which might be able to help replace this, Evelyn and I would be very grateful.
Speaking of Evelyn, it has been over one year since her cancer went into remission. The doctors say she must stay cancer free for 5 years before they will say she is cured.
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Jack Critchfield, Editor & Publisher
403 Coit Way, Salinas, Ca. 93907
(831) 772-9557
jcritch@a1above.net
